Compare
Woodford Reserve vs David Nicholson Reserve
Woodford Reserve and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$30 – $40 |
- David Nicholson Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).